Air-inflated drilling rig cover



Feb. 10, 1959 w. H. MACKEY 2,872,933

- AIR-INFLATED DRILLING RIG COVER.

Filed Aug. 5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I TIE-a]- 9 26 ZZ HIHHEY 1 I EHllPll 22 l 1 22 7 7 .INVENTOR B wily/ aw 9- 91214454.

ATTORNEY Feb. 10, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1957 Feb. 10, 1959'w. H. MACKEY 2,872,933

AIR-INFLATED DRILLING RIG COVER Filed Aug. 5, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR BY IIE- 5 6 ATTORNEY United States' Patent '0 AIR-INFLATEDDRILLING RIG COVER William H. Mackey, Libertyville, Ill., assignor toCid Air Structures Company, Chicago, III., a corporation of IllinoisApplication August 5, 1957, Serial No. 676,271

3 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) My invention relates broadly to oil drilling rigsand more particularly to a protective housing for oil drilling rigs.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction ofprotective housing for oil drilling rigs enabling operation to becarried on continuously at the oil drilling rig independently ofconditions of weather or temperature or the forced spraying of oil fromparts of the oil drilling system. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofinflatable enclosure for an oil drilling rig which may be maintained inerect position around the oil rig by the continuous pumping of air intothe interior of the cover for conditioning the atmosphere around the rigand maintaining proper working conditions around" the oil drilling rigindependently of the leakage of oil and gas prevalent around an oilwell.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofinflatable cover for an oil drilling rig which may be readily suspendedfrom the top of the drilling rig and providedwith an intermediate bracedisposed between the top and bottom of the cover wherein the cover ismaintained in inflated position around the oil well rig by one or moreblowers for continuously supplying streams of air into the interior ofthe cover for maintaining the cover in an inflated erect position aroundthe oil Well drilling rig.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in an arrangement ofstabilizer connecting cap for the cover of an oil well drilling rig andan arrangement of expander band for the drilling rig cover and anassociated base seal enabling the cover to be maintained in an erectinflated position around an oil well rig by means of a continuous supplyof air from pressure blower means connected with the interior of thecover as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter followingby reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a typical oil well rig withthe protective cover of my invention as initially applied thereto andshown in a deflated condition and with the ballast seal open just priorto the conditioning of the cover for the operation of the blowerequipment for inflating the cover around the oil well drilling rig;

Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the cover of my invention with respectto the oil well drilling rig where the ballast seal is filled andthe'cover is inflated to an expanded position for protection of thedrilling rig and the working area surrounding the rig, the view beingtaken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 33 ofFig. 2 and illustrating the layout of the multiplicity of blowers whichI employ for sup plying air continuously to the interior of theprotective cover around the oil well drilling rig;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on the top of theinflated structure of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the drilling 2,872,933Patented Feb. 10, 1959 2 rig cover showing the connection between thebottom cylindrical section and the top dome-shaped section thereof andindicating particularly the arrangement of the expander bandintermediate the top and bottom of the cover;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through one of theblower tubes for inflating the drilling rig cover and showingparticularly the detachable connection between the cover and the blowertube; and

Fig. 7 is a schematic view illustrating one method of erecting orinstalling the drilling rig cover in deflated condition with respect tothe drilling rig.

My invention is directed to an inflatable cover for housing a drillingtower for an oil well drilling rig to enable operations to be carried onindependently of prevailing temperature and weather conditions and toprotect the oil well equipment and those at work on the rig. The coverof my invention is particularly applicable to offshore drilling rigswhere an attack from salt spray results in corrosion and deteriorationof the parts of the equipment. The protective cover of my inventionprovides means for maintaining the continuity of operations around theoil well drilling rig'regardless of changes in weather and temperatureand serves as a protective means against detrimental sprays fromadjacent oil well operations which often produce such gumming andcongealing of foreign matter around the oil well drilling equipment asto make frequent cleaning and maintenance essential. The cover of myinvention is constructed according to the principles set forth in myco-pending application Serial No. 670,996 filed July 10, 1957, forair-inflated building structures. I utilize an airtight fabric which'isimpervious to moisture as the enclosing material. I employ various kindsof airtight materials such as vinyl-coated nylon fabric of greatstrength that withstands both extreme warm and cold temperatures, or alaminated fabric in lieu of the coated fabric may be used. The materialis weather proof and airtight and has a life expectancy sufficient toperform all of the functions intended by the instant invention. Theflexible fabric of my invention in the instant case, however, is formedby seamed strips contoured in the form of a dome or an igloo which isprovided at the top with a stabilizer cap adapted to be centered uponand fitted over the top of the oil well drilling rig hoisting pole. Thisstabilizer cap is cemented to the fabric of the cover forming asubstantially airtight connection supportable at the top of the oil welldrilling rig. At approximately the base of the dome or the igloo shapedportion of the cover I provide an expander band forming a peripheralbelt disposed vertically in the wall of the cover and forming means forshaping the cover substantially midway of the height of the drillingrig. The lower portion of the cover extending below the expander band issubstantially cylindrical, disposed on a vertical axis. This lowerportion 'of the cover terminates in a ballast tube which forms a sealwith the surface around the drilling rig. Where this surface isirregular such as the ground around the drilling rig, the ballast tubemakes an ideal seal with respect to the surface of the earth by virtueof the conformance of the ballast tube with the irregular surface of theearth as explained more fully in my aforesaid co-pending application.Where the drilling rig is associated with the deck of a barge, theballast tube insures a tight seal therewith. For purposes ofconditioning the atmosphere about the drilling rig equipment and alsoinflating the drilling rig cover I provide a multiplicity of blowersarranged to continuously deliver streams of air to the interior of thecover around the oil drilling rig. Where the base of the cover, that isthe portion which surrounds the base of the oil drilling rig,

has a diameter of the order of'90 feet and where the height-of the coveris of the order of feet I find it desirable to employ four continuouslydriven blowers located in opposite diametrical positions and capable ofsupplying quantities of air at therate of 5000 cubic feet per minutewith the blowers operating simultaneously .and continuously.

ilte'ferr'ing vtoflthe drawings in more detail referencecharacterltdesignatesan oil .well drilling rig erected .on the surface 2and terminating at its top in the hoisting poleindicatcdat 3. Such oilwelldrilling rig-may have avheightof approximately 75 feet and the areareserved for .operaiionsabout the.oil well equipment may haven diameter.o'fapproximately SOYfeet. Itis in this area that I .erectthe protectivecover.of,my invention which cons'ists of the stabilizer cap 4 which.is:centered over the hoisting pole 3 as represented in Fig. .1. Thematerial constituting the covetiis shown. at Sand maybenshcretoforeexplained .vinylecoated nylon fabric of great strengththatrwithstandshothextrenie warm and .cold temperatures or-alarninatedfabricintlieuof the coated fabric-may be used. Ihe materialis waterproofand airtight and will withstand the pressure .of sprays directed againstthe surface of the material when the building structureconstitutedbythernaterial is in inflated condition. The upper portion ofthe cover.isformed by stripscf the flexible materialseamed .andstitched .toprovide nirtightseams and form :a substantially seinhs'pherical dome.origlooshaped topindicatedat.fiinEig. 2. Thelowerportiou of the cover 5isshaped to constitute a vertically extending extremity of .theflexiblewall 7 and terminating in the ballast tube 8 as explained .more fully inmy aforesaid co;pending application. Theballast tube 3 forms a sealagainstthesurface .2. intermediate the cylindrical portion 7 and thedome-shaped portion 6 of the cover 5 Iprovidean expander band-9 whichissuitably attached to the interior of the surface ofthe material of cover5. The band9 is formed from aluminum and is extremelylightin.weight-hutis guiteIigid-Jnits vertical section-and providesadequate reinforcement for the material 5 intermediate the cylindricalsection *Tand the-donte-snaped sectionfi. ,I;preferably cement theexpander band interiorlyof thematerialS forming a division betweenthedomesshaped .portion .7 and the cylindrical portion 7 ot the coveratwhich position the strips forming'the taped sections indicated at.6a,-6b, 60, etc. are seamed to the upper-.endsof the verticallyextending strips 711, 7b, 70, etc. .oftheeylindrical section 7 of;thecover.

:In order to .maintain the cover in inflated condition around the .oil.well drilling .rig, I position air delivery tubes'inthcside .wall ofthecylindrical portion 7 ,of the cover .asrepreseutedat 11, 1'2, .13 and 14connected to niotor'driven fan blower unitsrepresented at 15, i6, 17 and.118. Thesefan blower .units supply air to the interior areao'f thecoveratihe vrate.of-.approximately 5690 cubic a'feetper .minute which isadequate to maintain the coverS .in inflated condition about the .oildrilling rig taking into account leakage which is bound to occur atcertain of the seams, suchas Qtfiior 2 2, between the Seal Sandthesurface ..2;.and.around the hoisting pole 3 at the top of theoibdrillingtig. The seam .21 is stitched at.22.and .is cemented .orglued tothe expander band 9 as represented bythelayer of adhesive ati3'i. This joint serves .to so stiffen the connection between thedomesliaped section 6.and the cylindrical section 7 that .installationof.thecover over an ,oil rigorremoval or the cover .for installation on.anotheroil rig is considerably simplified. In Big. 7 J have illustratedone method of installing .orremovingthe cover with respect to the oilrig. ..A .relativelyf.lighticrane 241ml} be .uscdhaving a boom .overwhich the Enable system .26 vruns ior sue pending the stabilizer cap .4.with the covers -connected thereto. ".The stabilizer can A :is provided.with certain cyelettconnectors 27 .through which equalizer .cables inthe .form 10f aslingextend and are symmetrically connected .to .theend-of. the; cabletsystem .26 .thrQlt h eye 28. Operationtof craneflt.pt'ovides-a-v simple means donetfech ing and removing the drilling rigcover, but other methods may be employed. The drilling rig cover issufficiently light in weight to enable the stabilizing cap 4 to bemaneuvered into position over the hoisting pole 3 by working from withinthe cover on the rig 1. When the cover is initially placed in positionthe ballast tube 8 is completely open as represented in Figs. 1 and 7 sothat rthe'cover is notsubjected to the mass provided by the weight ofthe ballast tube. When the cover is maneuvered'into-position'the ballastttibe'ti is filled with sand or "sand "bags :represented at 29 in -Fig.2 and-the ballast tube closed for sealing the cover against the surface2.

In Fig. 6 I have represented the blower unit 16 in association with theair delivery tube 12. The air delivery tube 12 is detachably connectedto the dome-shaped section 6 through an arrangement of annular sealingrings 3d and 31 which 'clamp the material-of the cylindrical portion 7 1or the. cover .and maintain such cylindrical portion in tight engagementwith the annularly extending flange 32. of mean-delivery tube 12.Detachable clamping-bolts 153 secure the cylindrical .wall 7 of thecover with:respect.toztheblowentube .12 by the clamped joint between thematerial .of the cylindrical portion 7 i of the cover, the rings 5i) and31 and flange 32.013 the blowver tube '12.

, .Undertcertain--.conditions\of weather and outside .atH'ZOSPhEIiClICH'lPEIfi-llll'fl it may be necessary to condition the airbeforeitis pumped intozthe interiorlof the cover byutilizing-theyrinciples set forth inmy copendingapplicatioinSc-rial.Nurnber67lh934, filed July :10, 1957, forAirslnflated .Roof Structure for facilitating ithe continuous .work ofpersonnel =.0n the oil'drilling trig regardless of weather conditions.

- Lipon .conclusion of ioperationson one drilling rig' the cover ;an dblower equipment of :my .invention -is readily removableandis portableincharacter-so thatit mayibe readily .installed on another drilling rigfor continued operation.

While 1 .havedescribcdmyinvention incertain of its preferred embodiments.I realize that modifications may hermadeand -I desire that it .beunderstood -that;no -1irnirations upon my invention are :intended otherthan may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What -Lelaim;as new.and desirc'to secure by Letters Patent of theiUnitedStates .is as follows:

-l. Anlaininfiatcdtdrillingrigeovcrcomprising a covermaterialsubstantialiyimpervious to air'and moisture and havingasubstantiallycircular contour terminating .ina sealladaptcd to cstabiishsubstantially airtight sealing connections with the :surface surroundingan 'oil well drilling rig adapted to be protected by said material,means for dividing said cover materialinto-adomefshaped section and acylindrical section andimeans-for continuously supplying airiunderpressurethrough said cylindrical section for inflating {both of saidsectionsdn :a position around .iitCzOll well drilling-rig,.whereinthe'dome-shaped section of said .cover material :has :astabilizer cap cemented to the center'of saidtmaterial, saidstabilizercap including means for effecting connection 'with the top ofthe oil well drilling rig for distributing the cover material uniformly.around :the rig.

2. .Anaioinfiated drillingrigcovereotnprisingacover materialsubstantially.impervious to-ait' and-'rnoisturc and having ,asubstantially circular contour terminating in a seal adapted toestablish substantially 'aimight sealing connections with the surfacesurrounding an .oil vwell drilling .rig adapted to be protected by saidmaterial, means.for-dividingrsaid cover materialiintoa do1neshapedsectionhndaeylindrical sectionnnd means for continuouslysupplying airunder pressure:through-saidcylindrical section for inflating hoth=ofsaid sections in -.a position around the .oil well drilling rig,.wherein the means for dividing said cover nrateria-l :intmatdomeeshapedsection and 2a cylindrical sectionzincludes. a'iverticallyextending belt of metallic material fastened to the interior ofboth of said sections.

3. An air-inflated drilling rig cover comprising a cover materialsubstantially impervious to air and moisture and having a substantiallycircular contour terminating in a seal adapted to establishsubstantially air-tight sealing connections with the surface surroundingan oil well drilling rig adapted to be protected by said material, meansfor dividing said cover material into a dome-shaped section and acylindrical section and means for continuously supplying air underpressure through said cylindrical section for inflating both of saidsections in a position around the oil well drilling rig, wherein saidmeans for dividing said cover material into a domeshaped section and acylindrical section includes a vertically extending belt of materialwhich is substantially rigid and conforms with the surface of said covermaterial, and means for fastening said belt to the interior of both ofsaid sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

